Gone-far-lo: HR blasted 475 feet into space

MIAMI – Meet the new Statcast™ home run king, who happens to be the same as the old king.

Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton once again stands alone when it comes to pure home run distance. The three-time All-Star connected on a go-ahead, two-run shot in the eighth inning on Friday that lifted Miami to a 6-4 win over the Phillies at Marlins Park.

Statcast™ projected Stanton’s laser at 475 feet off Phillies right-hander Hector Neris with an exit velocity of 113 mph. The blast replaces Pittsburgh’s Jordy Mercer as the top homer tracked this season. Mercer’s drive was 466 feet on April 22.

“It must carry better with the roof open, we’re finding that out,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.

THE 5 LONGEST HOMERS OF 2016 • Stanton, May 6 vs. Phillies, 475 feet • Jordy Mercer, April 22 vs. D-backs, 466 feet • Stanton, April 30 vs. Brewers, 462.3 feet • Nolan Arenado, April 10 vs. Padres, 462.2 feet • Carlos Correa, April 6 vs. Yankees, 461 feet

On a comfortable, rain-free night, Stanton launched his game-changing, and Statcast-swinging, drive in the direction of South Beach. The “did you see that” smash came on an 87 mph Neris …

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